OSP Log: Crash near Lebanon takes life of 12-year-old; Corvallis driver involved in collision near Forest Grove

Editor's note: This report is based on information submitted by the Oregon State Police. All crashes with fatalities may not be included. The status of incidents may change after further investigation.

FRIDAY, JUNE 28

• 7:24 a.m. — Troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 126 about 2 miles west of Powell Butte that took the life of Humberto Ruiz Vargas, 24, of Prineville. OSP's preliminary investigation indicated that Vargas was driving west in a Honda Civic when the vehicle drifted off the side of the roadway with the passenger-side tires on a gravel shoulder while on a left-hand curve. The Honda overcorrected, crossed the centerline into the eastbound lane and was struck on the passenger side by a Nissan Rogue driven by a 39-year-old Redmond woman. The vehicles came to rest on the shoulder with the Nissan rolling to its passenger side. Vargas was life-flighted to an area hospital where he was declared deceased. The Nissan's driver and a passenger, a 22-year-old woman, were seriously injured and transported to an area hospital.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3

• 3:15 p.m. — Troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Highway 47 and Spring Hill Road about 3 miles south of Forest Grove that took the life of Elvis Jay Harden, 81, of Carlton. OSP's preliminary investigation indicated that Harden was at a stop sign in an Audi Q5 on Spring Hill Road and while attempting to make a left-hand turn onto Highway 47, he entered the path of a Mazda CX5 driven by a 41-year-old Corvallis man. The Mazda hit the Audi on the driver's side door. An Oregon State Police sergeant was approaching the intersection at the time of the crash and immediately rendered aid to the Audi's driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt. Harden was declared deceased at the scene. The Mazda's driver and three passengers — a 40-year-old woman, a 2-year-old boy and a 4-month-old girl, suffered minor injuries and were transported for medical treatment.

• 6:17 pm — Troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 20 about 5 miles southeast of Lebanon that took the life of a 12-year-old boy. OSP's preliminary investigation indicated that a 52-year-old Sweet Home man was driving a Dodge Ram 1500 west on the highway when for unknown reasons, he crossed several lanes and struck an eastbound Dodge Ram 2500 that was driven by a 34-year-old Sweet Home man. The collision caused heavy damage and the Dodge 1500 became fully engulfed in flames. The 12-year-old boy was a passenger in the Dodge 1500 and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Dodge 1500 was transported with serious injuries to an area hospital. The driver of the Dodge 2500 was also transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. The cause of the crash was under investigation.